Facebook Execs Grapple With Election Influence

Following the presidential election, Facebook executives began a conversation over whether, or to what degree, false or misleading content circulated on the site may have influenced voters. Some have said the site should be held responsible as a place where users circulate misinformation and fake news stories, much of it centered recently around the prolonged and vitriolic U.S. election. The social network giant, which boasts 1.7 billion users, appears now to be debating what its responsibilities may be in censoring or monitoring such content. Facebook chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the idea that Facebook influenced the election was, “a pretty crazy idea,” but a Pew Research Center study found that nearly half of American adults rely on Facebook as a source of news. “A fake story claiming Pope Francis – actually a refugee advocate – endorsed Mr. Trump was shared almost a million times, likely visible to tens of millions,” said Zeynep Tufecki, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina who studies the social impact of technology. “The correction was barely heard. Of course Facebook had significant influence in this last election’s outcome.” In a statement, Facebook said it is, “just one of many ways people received their information – and was one of the many ways people connected with their leaders, engaged in the political process and shared their views.” In a post, Zuckerberg wrote that, “more than 99% of what people see is authentic.”